Dean Keates could keep Wrexham manager's job, says Mickey Thomas

Dean Keates also played for Walsall and Wycombe Wanderers

Former Wrexham midfielder Mickey Thomas says Dean Keates is a contender to become the club's new manager.

Keates, 38, made over 150 league appearances for Wrexham and captained the Welsh club to an FA Trophy win in 2013.

He is part of a management team in temporary charge of the National League club following Gary Mills' sacking.

"Dean Keates at this moment in time is in charge and I think maybe that might be a long term thing," Thomas said.

"With Gary Mills going maybe they haven't got the financial clout to get someone in.

"He knows the club inside out and I think he has all the ingredients to be a good manager. If he does well, Dean Keates, he could keep the job."

Keates, who left Wrexham during the summer of 2015, has management ambitions having concentrated on getting his coaching badges during the past 18 months.

Mickey Thomas' 21-year professional playing career began and ended at the Racecourse

"The next progression for me was always to be a manager. That's what I want to be. If that's here, who knows?" Keates said.

"I know what the club means for people and it's a massive part of the town."

Mills was sacked by Wrexham after 18 months in charge but has since returned to former club York City as manager.

Keates, along with Joey Jones and Andy Davies will once again be in charge for Wrexham's FA Cup replay against Stamford on Tuesday.

Macclesfield manager John Askey is the favourite to succeed Mills at the Racecourse and former Wales winger Thomas said: "I think he wants it by all accounts

"But I think that would be very expensive to bring him on board. But he has got good pedigree."

Thomas, who had two spells with Wrexham, says the new manager will have plenty of work when he takes over with the team 15th in the table.

"There have been many applicants for this job, it's a high profile job for sure," Thomas told BBC Radio Wales.

"The players at this moment in time you'd have to say they're not good enough and there would have to be a change in personnel.

"But I'm not sure that will happen very, very quickly."